L.A. Weekly Preview of September 24 event

Michael Simmons wrote this nice piece about the L.A. event next week:As a young teenager, Leonard Cohen literally hypnotized the clothes off the family maid, an act followed by lifelong obsessions with the mysteries of consciousness and naked dames. Author/journalist/ukulele goddess Sylvie Simmons spent three years researching and writing the definitive Cohen biography I'm Your Man (Ecco), and she captures the elusive core of one of our greatest songwriters and poets. Leonard sat for interviews with Simmons (no relation to moi), as did a hundred lovers, musicians, spiritual seekers and others. As she pieces together his experiences, the profile that emerges is a cubist portrait of a man following his own path by going in multiple directions simultaneously. (He is the world's favorite Jewish-Canadian-Buddhist monk/rock star, after all). Tonight Simmons will take you down to a place by the river and feed you tea and oranges that come all the way from China and read from -- as well as sign -- her book. She might also strum a few Cohen faves on her uke. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Mon., Sept. 24, 7 p.m.; free, book is $27.99. (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com. Also Gatsby Books, 5535 E. Spring St., Long Beach; Wed., Sept. 26, 5 p.m.; free. (562) 208-5862, gatsbybooks.com. — By Michael SimmonsPrice: FreeSee more here.